Now Commenting On:

Nearly everyone available in Rangers' bullpen

Nearly everyone available in Rangers' bullpen

ST. PETERSBURG -- Derek Holland will be in the bullpen for Game 4 against the Rays, as Rangers manager Ron Washington is in "all-hands-on-deck" mode to wrap up the American League Division Series.

Washington also said Neftali Feliz is available as closer, having thrown 25 pitches in a four-out save in the Rangers' 4-3 victory in Game 3 on Monday. The only two pitchers who won't be available in the bullpen are Game 3 winner Colby Lewis and potential Game 5 starter C.J. Wilson.

"This is the playoffs," Washington said. "Everybody is available."

The Rangers used five relievers on Monday, and they combined to throw 74 pitches. Right now, the rising star is Alexi Ogando, who has moved from the rotation to the bullpen and regained his effectiveness as a setup reliever.

He has already displaced Koji Uehara as the seventh-inning reliever and could be used in the eighth instead of Mike Adams. Washington went with Adams in the eighth inning on Monday and he couldn't retire a batter. He gave up a home run to Desmond Jennings and then walked three straight.

"He didn't have his command," Washington said. "He couldn't hit his spots. When he hits his spots, he's extremely tough. Yesterday, he was just out of whack."

Asked if he would use Adams in the eighth inning on Tuesday, Washington said, "We'll see. It just depends on if I have to use Ogando early."

Adams was bailed out by others. Mike Napoli threw out B.J. Upton trying to steal second. Michael Gonzalez struck out Johnny Damon on three pitches and Feliz finished the inning by striking out Ben Zobrist.

The big out was Gonzalez striking out Damon on three pitches. That kept Washington from using Feliz for five outs, something he would prefer not to do. Feliz had just one four-out save during the regular season, and that was on April 10. He also pitched more than one inning in only six of his 64 appearances.

"I only want to use Neftali for four outs at the most," Washington said. "But if we've got a chance to put a game away and I need five outs, I'll go to Neftali."